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Kim Jong Il's son talks succession

A file photo believed to be of Kim Jong-Il's eldest son, Kim Jong-Nam, arriving at Beijing airport on February 11, 2007.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Kim Jong Nam was once believed to be the favorite to succeed his father as leader

Kim was caught trying to enter Japan on a fake passport

Kim opposes another generation of his family ruling North Korea

(CNN) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's eldest son is against his family holding power in the reclusive communist nation for another generation.

"Personally I oppose the hereditary succession for three generations," Kim Jong Nam told Japan's TV Asahi in an interview that aired Tuesday. "But I presume there were internal reasons. We should abide by such reasons if there are any."

Kim's comments were the first since his younger half-brother Kim Jong Un was promoted to the rank of four-star general just before a rare meeting of the country's ruling party this month. The announcement was the first formal mention of his name in official state communications. He was also named vice chairman of the Workers Party of Korea's central military commission.

The United States anticipates that Kim Jong Un will succeed his ailing father, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said last week.

Little is known about Kim Jong Un. He is thought to be 27 or 28, is believed to have been schooled abroad and is thought to be capable of speaking some English and German, and possibly some French. He is said to have a fondness for Michael Jordan and James Bond.

Following a suspected stroke in the summer of 2008, Kim Jong Il has appeared to be in frail health, fueling heated speculation in South Korea and elsewhere about when he will name his successor and who it will be. Since early 2009, a range of signs has pointed at Kim Jong Un as that man.

"I presume my dear father decided [his brother's succession]," Kim Jung Nam said in the TV Asahi interview that was recorded in Beijing Saturday. " I have no objection nor interest on the succession. I do not care about it at all."

At one point, the eldest Kim Jung Nam was considered the top candidate to succeed his father before he fell out of favor after he got caught trying to sneak a trip to Tokyo Disneyland using a forged passport.

"I would like my younger brother to do his best for the people of North Korea and their true wealth," Kim said. "I am ready to help him from outside of North Korea whenever he needs my help."